Auchan Retail works with IBM Consulting on smart green pallets roll-out in warehouses and stores
Auchan Retail is rolling out 50,000 IBM Smart Green Pallets across warehouses and stores.
The pallets are recyclable, lighter than standard offerings, and fitted with connected sensors that track geolocation, temperature and shocks in real-time.
The technology allows the retailer to: better preserve the freshness and quality of products, especially refrigerated products; limit the risk of food waste; reduce the emissions linked to our logistics flows and therefore the environmental impact; improve the daily life of the teams, thanks to lighter and easier to handle pallets.
Franck Descamps, Director of Logistics Procurement at Auchan Retail, says: "We are taking a new step towards a more responsible, more connected and future oriented supply chain."
Elaine Parr, Senior Partner, Consumer Products and Retail Industries Leader EMEA at IBM, says: "This should bother all of us: food loss and waste still account for roughly one third of all food produce, about 8 to 10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions making food waste - if it was a country - the third largest emitter after the US and China."
"The IBM Institute for Business Value research showed almost 60% of shoppers willing to change habits to reduce environmental impact and close to 80% saying sustainability matters to them. So this matters. Less waste. Better product integrity. Clearer data.”
“For a retailer like Auchan, and for many brands on their shelves, it is a brilliant example of operations lining up with brand promise. Credit to them, to the IBM Smart Green Pallet team and all partners for bringing this to life at scale.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Green retail was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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